Championship Course At Philmont CC Hosts GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour Local Finals 10-09-11
Philmont Country Club (North) hosted the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) Local Finals on Sunday October 9, 2011. The tournament was sponsored by MyPhillyGolf.Com. Twenty-four tour players in four flights competed on a hot and sunny Indian Summer afternoon on a beautifully conditioned course. Philmont is a private country club founded in 1906, designed by William S. Flynn and Willie Park and located in Huntington Valley, PA. The 6,670 yard Par 70 North Course features numerous water hazards, lightning fast greens, and tight tree-lined fairways. The North Course at Philmont Country Club has hosted many prestigious events over the years, including the Nike Tour (now the Nationwide Tour) in the mid-90's, as well as USGA local qualifiers for the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur.
Due to the rained-out event at Wyncote Golf Club, this was our Local Finals. Flight Championships were "up for grabs" as a result of the day’s golf. Everyone was excited to accept the challenge of such a wonderful, old-style golf course. Joe Logan from MyPhillyGolf.Com joined our group for the tournament.
In the Championship Flight, Gerry Newell carded a fine round of 85 to take home the trophy. Gerry was 5-over par after the front nine, but ran into some trouble managing the fast greens on the back-side This was Gerry’s third victory of the season on our tour (Reading CC, Cavaliers CC).
The A Flight victory went to John Poole, his second consecutive tournament victory on the GOLFWEEK AGT. John’s round of 79 was the lowest member round of the day, and included a great birdie on Par 4 2nd hole. After a front-nine 42, John managed the back-nine in an amazing 2-over par 37! Bob Hobson came in second place with a round of 91 that included a birdie on the Par 3 8th hole.
In the B Flight, Kevin Cockerham bested a field of 6 players with a one-stroke victory over Jon DeMinico. Kevin’s round of 87 featured steady play and only one score higher than double-bogey. Deminico carded an amazing three birdies – on the Par 4 6th and 15th holes, and on the Par 5 9th hole, which was ranked as one of the most difficult golf holes in the Philadelphia area – in his round of 88. This was Cockerham’s second victory of the season.
The C Flight champion Doug Johnson found himself tied after 18 holes with Asst. Director Leo Cassidy. Both players carded a round of 97. Johnson won the one-hole playoff with a Par 4 after sinking a 20-foot putt. John Stevens and Kyle Mazza were both one-shot back with 98.
The event raised $90.00 for the GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour’s charity partner, Stand Up 2 Cancer. Special thanks to Head Golf Professional Mickey Sokalski and his staff at Philmont for treating our players as "members for the day" – it was a truly memorable golf experience.
Congratulations to our 2011 Flight Champions: CHAMPIONSHIP Flight – Greg Heisen; A Flight – Fred Banta; B Flight – Kevin Cockerham; C Flight – Doug Johnson; D Flight – Guiliano Verna
The GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour (Philly Metro) inaugural season has come to an end. Our 2012 schedule will be finalized shortly and published before the end of the year. Thanks for your support and we are looking forward to teeing it up again in 2012 on great golf courses.